From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 788.

City of La Crosse

W. A. ROOSEVELT, plumber and gas-fitter; was born Sept. 17, 1833, in Oakland Co., Mich.; moved with his parents into Detroit in 1837, remaining there until 1840, when he removed to Sandusky City, Ohio; he learned the machinist's trade in Sandusky, and, in 1853, emigrated to La Crosse, where he arrived Jan. 17; upon his arrival at La Crosse, he chartered the steam ferry-boat Honeoye, which he ran during the first part of the season, when he purchased a third interest in the Delia, and was engineer on this for a short time, running between Dubuque and St. Paul; he disposed of his interest in this boat in the fall of 1857, and, up to 1860, was engaged most of the time as engineer and captain on the Mississippi River. From 1860 to 1869, he was constantly engaged as a steamboat engineer; Jan. 1, 1869, he established his present business in La Crosse, since which time he has successfully conducted it.

[I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!]